The following is a list of Special Areas of Conservation in the Republic of Ireland, as listed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). Since 2020, the NPWS has operated under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Special Areas of Conservation are part of the Natura 2000 network of sites within the European Union for special flora or fauna. [1] [2] [3]
| Name | Photo | Land area (hectares) | EU Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgica Mound Province | 41090.4 | IE0002327 | |
| Hempton's Turbot Bank | 4492.68 | IE0002999 | |
| Hovland Mound Province | 108655 | IE0002328 | |
| South-west Porcupine Bank | 32929.9 | IE0002329 | |
| North-west Porcupine Bank | 71629.7 | IE0002330 | |
| Rockabill to Dalkey Island | 27285.88 | IE0003000 | |
| Porcupine Bank Canyon | 78110 | IE0003001 | |
| South East Rockall Bank | 148790 | IE0003002 | |
| Codling Fault Zone | 2982.23 | IE0003015 |
Wild Nephin is a national park in northwest County Mayo, Ireland. It includes much of the Nephin Beg Mountains and one of the largest expanses of peatland in Europe, consisting of 150 square kilometres of Atlantic blanket bog. It is a unique habitat with a diverse flora and fauna. It was established as Ballycroy National Park in 1998, then expanded and re-named in 2018, with plans to re-wild the additional lands acquired at Nephin Forest to the east of the Nephin Beg Mountains. Wild Nephin includes the most remote point of land on the Irish mainland. The park is a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) as part of a site known as the Owenduff/Nephin Complex. It is also a Special Protection Area and part of the Natura 2000 network.
Lough Oughter is a lake, or complex of lakes, in County Cavan covering more than 8,900 hectares. The complex of lakes lies on the River Erne, and forms the southern part of the Lough Erne complex. The lakes are bounded roughly by Belturbet in the north, Cavan town to the east, Crossdoney to the south and Killeshandra to the west.
Lough Yganavan and Lough Nambrackdarrig are two lakes of ecological importance in County Kerry, Ireland. In 1988, Lough Nambrackdarrig and the southern half of Lough Yganavan were designated as National Nature Reserves. Since 1998, the lakes have been included in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) of 271.6 hectares (3 km2), which protects land in private ownership and the two state-owned nature reserves. The habitats in the SAC include fixed dunes, a type of machair.
Cullahill Mountain is listed as a marilyn hill and a Special Area of Conservation in County Laois, Ireland. Cullahill with an elevation of 313 m (1,027 ft) gives its name to the local townland. It is also called Knockmannon Hill.
Kylecorragh Wood is an old oak woodland along the freshwater stretches of the River Nore in County Kilkenny, Ireland. Located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) west of New Ross, it consists of 100 acres (400,000 m2). Kylecorragh Woods are of regional importance as an relatively undisturbed example of the original deciduous woodland which covered the river valley.
The Little Brosna River rises near Dunkerrin, County Offaly, Ireland. It flows for 36 miles before joining the River Shannon.
Sharavogue is a townland in the historical Barony of Clonlisk, County Offaly, Ireland. It is a rural area located near the junction of the N52 road and the R492 between Roscrea and Birr. The Little Brosna River flows under Sharavogue bridge.
Lough Funshinagh is a lake and Special Area of Conservation in County Roscommon, Ireland, found to the west of Lough Ree. It has been called Ireland's amazing disappearing lake, due to the way it empties quickly - in as little as two days - and unpredictably, sometimes killing thousands of fish. Lough Funshinagh is one of a number of seasonal lakes, or turlough, found in the karst areas of Ireland, west of the River Shannon.
Errit Lough is a freshwater lake in the west of Ireland. It is located in west County Roscommon in the catchment of the Boyle River. The lake is a Natura 2000 site. It is protected as a Special Area of Conservation since May 2016 under the qualification of a specific habitat type: the presence of ‘Hard Water Lakes’, alternatively known as ‘Hard oligo-mesotrophic waters with benthic vegetation of Chara spp.’
Pollnaknockaun Wood Nature Reserve is a national nature reserve and Special Area of Conservation of approximately 96 acres (0.39 km2) located near Woodford, County Galway, Ireland. It is managed by the Irish National Parks & Wildlife Service.
Ballynafagh Lake is a shallow alkaline lake, located approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) north-west of the village of Prosperous in County Kildare, Ireland. It is designated as a special area of conservation (SAC) and protected under European Union and Irish legislation. It is one of the European protected nature sites that comprise the Natura 2000 network. It is a short distance north of the Ballynafagh Bog.
The Rye Water Valley/Carton Special Area of Conservation or SAC is a Natura 2000 site based along the Rye Water / River Rye in north County Kildare, Ireland. It is protected as an SAC since November 2018 due to the presence of a rare hydrogeological habitat at a site close to the River Rye, and the presence of protected species.
The Mouds Bog Special Area of Conservation or SAC is a Natura 2000 site based close to the Hill of Allen and to Newbridge, County Kildare, Ireland. The qualifying interests by which it is protected as an SAC are the presence of three habitat types: the presence of active raised bogs, the presence of degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration, and the presence of depressions on peat substrates of Rhynchosporion vegetation.
The Red Bog Special Area of Conservation or SAC is a Natura 2000 site in County Kildare, close to the town of Blessington in County Wicklow, Ireland. The qualifying interests by which it is protected as an SAC are the presence of a specific habitat type: transitional mires and quaking bogs.
The Carrigeenamronety Hill Special Area of Conservation or SAC is a Natura 2000 site in the Ballyhoura Mountains, Ireland. The qualifying interests for which it is protected as an SAC are the presence of the Killarney fern and the presence of a dry heath habitat.
The Ballynafagh Bog Special Area of Conservation or SAC is a Natura 2000 site in County Kildare, close to the town of Prosperous in County Kildare, Ireland. The three qualifying interests by which this site is protected as an SAC are the presence of active raised bog, of degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration, and of depressions on peat substrates of the Rhynchosporion.
The Four Roads Turlough Special Area of Conservation is a Natura 2000 site based at the village of Four Roads, Ireland, close to Roscommon town, in County Roscommon, Ireland. The Four Roads Turlough is one of a number of seasonal lakes, or turloughs, found in the karst areas of Ireland, west of the River Shannon.
The Bellanagare Bog Special Area of Conservation is a Natura 2000 site based close to the village of Bellanagare and the town of Castlerea in County Roscommon, Ireland. The qualifying interests by which it is protected as an SAC are the presence of three habitat types: the presence of active raised bog, the presence of degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration, and the presence of depressions on peat substrates of Rhynchosporion vegetation.
The Cloonchambers Special Area of Conservation or SAC is a Natura 2000 site based close to the town of Castlerea in County Roscommon, Ireland. The qualifying interests by which it is protected as an SAC are the presence of three habitat types: the presence of active raised bogs, the presence of degraded raised bogs still capable of natural regeneration, and the presence of depressions on peat substrates of Rhynchosporion vegetation.
